Rhode Island Rushes Past Spiders 45-14

RICHMOND — Nobody seemed to mind that the scoreboard clock didn't work Saturday afternoon at University of Richmond Stadium. After all, the host Spiders weren't working all that well, themselves.

Yankee Conference foe Rhode Island shoved Richmond all over the 104-degree SuperTurf field en route to a 45-14 win. The visiting Rams hadn't scored that much since 1985 and UR hadn't given up that many points in regulation since 1984.

"No excuses," said rookie UR head coach Jim Marshall. "There wasn't even one thing we did well - except that our freshman defense at the end played hard while it was out there.

"We didn't win any phase of the game. I'm not very proud of our effort today. I blame myself for some of it, for not getting us ready to play."

The tone of the game may have been set on Richmond's very first snap. Fullback Sam Yaffa rumbled 12 yards up the middle, then fumbled away the ball.

Rhode Island promptly marched 45 yards in seven plays, capped by flanker Mike Rogers' 2-yard end-around with 10:59 remaining in the first quarter. Chris Cassara kicked the first of his six extra points.

UR punted after gaining just six yards on its next possesion, but cornerback Travis Crocker intercepted Steve Monaco's flat pass and returned it 32 yards for a 7-7 tie with 9:59 left in the first period.

The Rams answered in just 14 seconds, the time needed for freshman flanker Chris Pierce to return Ted Brayton's kickoff 90 yards. It was the first time Pierce, a 5-foot-5, 160-pound walk-on, had touched the ball in college.

"All their kickoff returns hurt us, but especially that one," said Marshall. "Our defense kept going out to our own 30-yard line. That makes it tough."

Richmond forged a 14-14 tie with its most impressive drive of the day, a 70-yarder in nine plays. On 3rd-and-1 from the 11, tailback Eric Hopkins scored over left tackle. When Tabb High product Rob Courter kicked his second PAT, the Spiders were still in it.

But not for long.

Rhode Island went 41 yards in nine plays for the go-ahead score with 12:58 left in the second quarter. Monaco got the TD with a 3-yard option run.

The winners scored again in the final seconds of the first half. After off-setting interceptions (nose guard Brandon Bonser for UR, then defensive end Carl Mackey for URI on the next play), Monaco found Jerry Williams streaking down the near sideline.

The 61-yard TD staked Rhode Island to a 28-14 halftime lead and virtually sealed the Spiders' second loss of the season, both at home, and both in Yankee Conference games.

URI opened the second half with a seven-play, 55-yard scoring drive. Tailback John Newson scored on a 19-yard run with 12:45 remaining in the third period.

The Rams added a 9-yard TD pass from Monaco to Williams with 4:45 left in the quarter, then capped their rout with a 40-yard field goal from Cassara with 5:45 left in the game.

Richmond plays at James Madison next weekend, then returns home to face VMI on Sept. 23. Maybe by then the clock - and the team - will be working better.